Pedestrian Bridge Project Moves Forward

MassDOT this month will begin demolition work as part of the Magazine Beach Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project in Cambridge.

The pedestrian bridge will be closed on Thursday, September 9, at 8 AM. Pedestrians crossing Memorial Drive at the Magazine Street intersection will use the new signalized crosswalk with push buttons.  Demolition of the Pedestrian Bridge approach ramps is scheduled to begin next Monday, September 13.   Night work required for the removal of the midspan of the bridge over Memorial Drive is scheduled for the last week of September. 
 
The pedestrian bridge replacement is funded by the Patrick-Murray Administration’s $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. The project will replace the existing pedestrian bridge over Memorial Drive with a new structure that includes accessible ramps and handrails. The project also includes installation of an over height detection system and temporary signals as well as site restoration. Completion is scheduled for spring 2011.

For more information please contact Stephanie Boundy, (617) 973-8049 or through project feedback e-mail at: dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us.

Comments

[Matthew]

Those long ramps you talk about are for ADA compliance to assist bikes and wheelchairs getting across this bridge.

[boblothrope]

Detailed plans are at http://www.eot.state.ma.us/acceleratedbridges/downloads/magazineBridge_052010.pdf .

I'm disappointed to see that there will be long zig-zag ramps with no shortcut stairs. These time-wasting ramps are the reason why pedestrians hate overpasses, and why they're generally considered poor urban planning.

An absolute must for this project should be better "No Trucks" signs at the intersections where trucks would mistakenly turn onto Memorial Drive. This is a big problem at the River Street bridge, where overheight trucks coming off the Pike frequently turn right onto Mem Drive. The signage is very poor -- please fix it ASAP.

(Of course a better solution would have been a 14-foot overpass, rather than the 12-foot one being built. That way, trucks wouldn't hit it even if they used the road by mistake. But it's too late now.)

[Mark]

This is a tremendous waste of money and time. There isn't a whole lot of traffic over the bridge in the first place, so replacing it is a waste of money. Simply putting in a grade-level crosswalk with a signal would have accomplished all of the following (and at much lower cost):
-- Calmed traffic coming off the overpass. This would have been very helpful for cars entering/exiting the Shell station and the Trader Joe's parking lot.
-- Allowed cars to make a left turn onto Mem. Drive from Magazine Street.
-- Allowed pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Mem. Drive in much less time.

[Sam]

This was a wonderful mid-century bridge design that suffered in the past few years due to careless truck drivers and piecemeal repair work. The bridge provides for a huge amount of bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Here's hoping that the crosswalk signals will prove adequate. Great idea to put in the height detection system!